Folding machine



Aug. 11, 1959 I A. F. SHIELDS 2,898,818

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1954 r a Sheets-Sheet 1 ZZZ ' INVENTOK 144 554? TE KAI/Ems Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 IN V EN TOR. A L 55a 7'- E SH/EL p5 mg k Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 MNNQW QWNK v m II M Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE 6 SheetS -Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 4 IN VEN TOR. z4LBEQT Esme/.11:

' A rrae/v m A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 88. I INVENTOR- 1448542742 6705405 Aug. 11, 1959 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 Aug. 11, 1959 A. F. SHIELDS FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 United States Pat Corrugated'Paper MiichineryC6;, Ina, Brdo'klyn, N.Y., ator'poratioirof New York Application fiecem her- 9, -1 9 54,- Serial No.

n can. tern-12:9

My present invention relates to folding machines and *IllOlG particularly to a folding machine of the'type 'gener'ally shown in my prio'r United States Patents Nos. 2,336,507, 2,583,712 and 2,622,493 wherein large size corrugated Eoar'd'or other paper blanks are to be'passed from a stack through varions foldin'g elements and there'- by prepared for further nianufacurin'g operation.

More particularly my invention relates to'a hovel foldre machine which is especiallyadapted to fold largesize corrugated blank's so as to prepare them for entry into "a stitching mechanism.

In the making of cartons it is necessary tofirst crease and slot the blanks'inbrder'to properly prepare them for the folding"operation. The folding operation for ordinary sqliare tubular boxes comprises bending of the two outer panels on the score lines sothat the "edges of thepanels meet to form a bolla'p'se d tube. The tube is then ready for a taping operation. I v

*In the event however, that fit is desired to join {the 'edges of the outer pane'ls a stitching ratherthan by a 'tapingop'ei'ation it is necessary to fold thepanels so that the outer edges overlap to an extent sufficient to -a- "coinmodate the placing of the stitches.

Heretofore, it has not been possible in anjautoinatie operation to fold the box panel's so as to prepare them for stitching and in fact, to stitch them 'as they leave the folding machine. My novel folding machine is so constructed as to overcome these difficulties of theprior art, and to provide an automatic operation so that the box blanks are folded in such "a manner as 'to prepare them -for the stitching operation and "at the 's'arne time continuously fed through'the folding machine ata rate, in e manner, Whichcan be readily coordinated with the subsequent stitching operation.

-Primarily, iny invention is directed towards improvemeats in the devices in my above 'me'nies a prior patens which improvements have been invented in order to provide a rapid fully automatic and inone 'efiicient 'fold iii-g operation. These improvements include "the 'folding mechanism in which the two outer panel's df the box blank are folded 'so that they overlap. The folding operation is completed by 'a rockable pressure means which at the same time maintain the folded box blahk in the said overlapped position. 7 o i p I My invention also includes means for stripping the "famed blank from the mechanism whichfconveys the said blank through the machine; means for holding down the blank so that it will not unfold so stripped; means for maintaining the overlapping outer longitudinal edgesof said blank in a spaced apart relationship so as to facilitate the stitchin'g operation; adjusting means for making the machine adaptable for blanks of varyingdim'ensions; and-improved means -for'simp1'i'fyin-g and integrating the drives for the 'various elements of the-ma."- chine so that each operation will take 'place at the .proper instant.

1 2,898,818 Pa tented Aug; *1 1 19 5 2 tion will Become apparent in the following deseriptidn ofthe drawings in which:. p v

Figure -1 'is a top plan view of inynovel improved folding machine. Figure 2 is a side view of the novel "folding-machine of ,Figure 1. p v V Figure 3 is a-schem-atic perspective of the mechanism for driving the various elementsxof 'niy folding inachine and of the means for coordinating the movementof the said elements.

Figure 4 is'a sidecross sectional view'of the-mechanism for operating thelongitudinally fockable-irieans for completing the folding of the-blank, viewed alngthehfis 4- 4. i

"Figure 4a is a side view showing the motiohs 'of the rocker The foregoing and many other objectsibtmy 'inven Figure 5 is a side view partly in. cross section "taken alongtheiines5=5 -ofFigi'ire 4 and'lobking inthe directionof the arrows. 1

Figure 6 is a side viewtaken pa rtly in cross section of the novel means forstrippirig the folded 'bla'nkhhd for coordinating its movement with theoperation of the stitcher. a

Figure 7 is an end view taken along the lines *'l"""l "of Figure 6 and-looking in-the direction 'of :the arrows and further showing the operation 'of stripping and holdingdown'nieansofFiguie 6. f

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the stitch feeding mechanism which "is indicated as "element 460 in Fig- 1Iie6. f 1 f Fi ures isa top view-of the foldingmchaiiis'm 'show, "ing the folding bars 'in more detail. 1

Figure 10 is a cross seoticinal view taken "-albng the lines ill-=10 of Figure -9 and looking intli'e diiectioh ref the arrows. J v

Figure 1' 1 is 1a cross sectional view taken along "the lines 11- -11 of Figure 9 and'lookiirgin "the direction'f the arrows.

Referring now to the Figures 1, 2 and 3 a stack'of blanks Z0 is placed on the *bed2 2 er the snacking"section'21 of 'the machine between the rear gauge 23 and the front gauges 25'. The hottoni blank in the stack'is fed towards the right by the feed slats '27 through the -space 3'0 'belowthe ffoht gauge 25.

The space 30 is-soadjhstedthatit is just highendilgl'a 'to permit one of the blanks to pass through While hem 'in'g back the remainder of the stack. "Iheblank tli'rdugh the "space 30 over 'the bar *31 and isziau'shed by the feed slat 27 netween the rip er "and lower feed ferran as and as, respectively. Fe'ed rolleis =33afid 3'6*engage the blank and carr 'y 1ft rel-ward.

The blanks are 'then fed between tnegiiiiir and rower feed "rollers anti 42. Upper feed rollers 41 actually ebh's is't er *two idler 5' stare reliefs 412: -an'd4r11; The reed roller 42 "on the fifide'rs'ide is a ring-1e venerextending entirely across the machine and is driveh by 'a ehain drive in a hereinafter ds'eriue h i'n 'ifiore detail.

The blanks pushed by 'rolrers '42 befieth guide strip 295 "cohtinues its forward mbtion "until "i its steps 46 mounted on stop bars '47. While the blank is in this positidn with its for-ward edge against 'the two stops 46 the "creases "or -scoresb'n which the fold is in take place are in register with "the "outer -'sides with the folding bars '39, and '40. This is, of c'ourse, obtained by anappropriate adjustment of the machine, 'as hereinafter fiescriebed, prior 'to the beginning of a run and "by appro pri'ate stacking of the blanks. b

While the blank is an the "s'top' po'sition against stops 46 the folding bars 39 'and 40, the operationbf which will be deseribe'd in, more "detail 'inciiiihetion with 3 Figures 9, l and 11, fold the blanks so that the panels overlap slightly. This means that one folding plate will act slightly out of phase with the other.

After the folding operation is completed, rotation of the stop operating shaft 49 causes cams 50 to rotate and thereby drop the stop bars at the appropriate time. Note that thestop bars are provided with cam followers 51. The timing of this mechanism, of course, can be controlled by the appropriate design of the cams 50.

At this point the blanks are conveyed forward by slats 90 which are attached to the three chain conveying mechanism 130. The slats then carry the blank forward until the operation of the stripper shown in Figure 6 removes the blank from the slats.

Referring now to Figure 3 in more detail it can be seen how the machine is driven and how the action of the driving mechanisms for the various components are coordinated. The machine is driven by motor 100. Belt 103 coming off the fly wheel 102 of the motor engages pulley 104 which carries, on a common shaft 105, sprocket wheel 106. Sprocket 106 is connected by chain 107 so as to drive the jack shaft 108. Three sprockets are mounted on the said jack shaft- Sprocket 109 receives chain 107 and drives the shaft. Sprocket 110 drives chain 112 which in turn drives the lower second feed roll 42 through sprocket 114, the lower first feed roll 36 through the sprocket 115, and the upper first feed roll 35 through sprocket 116.

Note that the chain is wound around sprockets 115 and 116 so as to make upper feed rolls 35 and 36 rotate in an opposite direction. That is, in order to force the blank to the right the upper feed roll 35 must rotate counterclockwise whilethe lower feed roll 36 rotates clockwise. Adjusting idler 118 is also provided to make sure that the chain is properly taut. Sprocket 118 is adjustable in a horizontal direction as indicated by arrows 119. The third sprocket from the jack shaft 120 carries chain 122. This chain passes over stationary idler 123 and drives the folding box shaft 48 by means of sprocket 124. It then passes over an adjusting idler 125, stationary idler 126 and sprocket 147' which serves to operate the stripping device in a manner hereinafter described.

The sprocket 145 riding on shaft 11 is provided with holes 131 so as to either engage or disengage the clutch 147. A second sprocket 131 on common shaft 111 is provided with similar holes 131:: so that it may also engage or disengage clutch 147. The clutch 147 is keyed to the shaft 111 and drives sprocket wheel 131 or 145 only when it is engaged with them through holes 131a and 145a. Otherwise, when not so engaged, these sprocket wheels ride freely on the shaft 111. The position of the clutch may be changed by the operator by means of an external handle 132. Chain 129 which connects sprocket 128 and 131 passes over the adjusting idler 133 while chain 129 passes over idler 133 and connects sprockets 127 and 145. The purpose of the clutch is to change the drive speed of shaft 50' operating the stripping device depending on the length of board desired to be stitched.

Thus, the shaft 50 can be driven either from sprocket wheel 127 or from sprocket wheel 128 each of which will be provided with sprockets so as to provide for a two speed arrangement. In other words, sprocket 128 may drive shaft 50 through sprocket wheel 131 at a different rate than if the shaft were driven through sprockets 127 and 145. This provides a simple mechanism for changing the frequency of operation of the stitcher and thereby enabling the machine to feed shorter blanks into the stitcher at a more rapid rate when desired. Thus a speed changing mechanism is provided which will double the frequency of operation of the stripper for a unit of movement of the chain 130.

This clutch arrangement allows the operator adjusting hand crank 132 to the'appropriate position, depending on the number bf feed slats 90 to be used on the chain drive 130.

Referring again to chain 122, it can be seen that the chain passes over stationary idler 134, vertically adjustable idler 135, stationary idler 136 and then rotates by means of sprocket wheel 137 to operate the kicker slat 27 by means of shaft 26. The method of operating the kicker slat 27 is well known in the art and is shown in my prior patents, Nos. 2,583,712 (Fig. 4) and 2,622,- 493 (Fig. 4).

The chain 122 passes over secondary idler 138 and then back to jack shaft 130. Thus, it can be seen that the operation of kicker slat 27, the folding mechanism, the stripping device and the drive for the slat carrying chains are all operated by a single driving chain and thereby readily coordinated.

Moreover, a single driving chain also drives both sets of feed rollers and this driving chain is driven from the common jack shaft 108 which further coordinates the operation of this chain 112 with aforementioned drive chain 122. Also coordinated with drive chain 122 is the drive for the hold down bar 56, that is, chain 139. This chain operates from separate sprocket 142 which is readily secured to shaft 48 which is driven by the chain drive 122. Chain 139 passes over idler 143 and then into the hold down mechanism which will be described in more detail in connection with the Figures 4 and 5. The triple chain 130 carrying slats 90 is also coordinated with the above mentioned drive systems as it is driven from drive sprocket 195 and over idler sprockets 194 and 196 with drive sprocket 195 being keyed to shaft 42a which carries feed rollers 42. Note also that the rotation of this shaft 48 operating the folding mechanism and stop-operating shaft 49 is coordinated by providing chain connection 199 between sprockets 197 and 198 on shafts 48 and 49, respectively.

The operation of the stop releasing mechanism hereinbefore described and of the folding mechanism may also be seen in a general manner from Figure 3. Thus, upon the rotation of folding shaft 48 the folding bars will operate from the rack and pinion arrangement 165166 which operates from cams 175 by means of cam followers 172. This will be pointed out in more detail in the following description:

Referring to Figures 9, l0 and 11, the folding bars 39 and 40 on each side are driven oscillatorily by oscillatory rotation of shaft 151 on which they are mounted. The folding bars 39 and 40 are of a U-shape or hair pin type of construction having the legs 152, 152 the free ends of which are secured in the blocks 153, 153, the said blocks having extensions 154 which are keyed to the oscillatorily rotatable shaft 151.

Shaft 151 revolves in bearings 156, 156 secured to the A main frame and is positioned accurately in such bearings by the adjustable collars 157, 157. Shaft 151 carries the pinion 160, the said pinion 160 having a collar 161 and appropriate means including the key bolt 162 to key the pinion 160 to the shaft 151.

Pinion 160 engages the rack 165 which is secured by bolts 166, 166 to the slide bar 167. Slide bar 167 is slidably supported in the guide 170 which also is secured to the main frame of the machine. The underside of slide bar 167 is provided with the cam follower roll 172 secured to a stub shaft 173 projecting from the underside of the slide bar 167.

The cam follower 172 rides in the cam track 174 of the circular cam 175 which is adjustably mounted on the cam drive shaft 176. The cam 175 is secured by the clamping bolts extending through slots 181 in the flanged collar 182 which in turn is keyed to the shaft 176.

The cam 175 may thus be adjusted on the shaft 176 by loosening the clamping bolts 180 and rotating the cam 175 with respect to the flanged collar 182 and then locking the cam 175 in its reset position by tightening the bolts 180. i

- 'rhe shah as is providd witha Shiite-re nished associated apparatus as hereinafter describedat-ac'h side Off the rnachine in associatic n-with' 'the fblding 3 9,

reversed with V ns-"and rotate the cam-*trafek 174. eam trck 174 is arranged to produce thedesiredbaek and fdrth h otien of the cam follower 172 and hene "the shine -baick an'd fo'i'th motion of slide bldck- 167and i'aek 1'65 to cause p'inion 160 and shaft 151 to reitateoscillatbrily and hfie 'lm'ove the folding b ars 150"-fr'0m the ftill open =tc-"-tlie full foldingpos'ition.

*Tl'ie 63111 track 174 r'nay accordinly -'-"h'e shaped Fto produce ad'wll (if ithe 'cam follower' 17'2'jiat ahy" poiiit where iris-desired that the folding bar's 39, '4 remain "stationary andproduce movement of the folding bars 39, 40 when it-isdesired to rotatthem. a v

Accordingly, at the T full ope'n posi'titin ofth e folding "bars 39, 'as the blank is fedihto -the devi'e'efiwhefe it is desired to ensure- -'that the foldin'g =hafs 39, re'main in full open-position the t'raek 174 niay" xtend firciilai'l'y in a -plane' 'n0rn1'al 'to theflis-"(Sf shaftq8; sane where it-is' desired to rotate='the folding-1393 39340, the cam track will extend helically, that is, in ai'alafie atan angle to the axis of shaft 176.

B'y this means, therefore, ftill entrol andtiining of the open position, the -folding opratio'n 'andthe rearranifig 'pera'tion' offthe folding bars is bhtai-ned, 1 partieul-arly sin'ce shaft 4s m hereinafter desribd is *dri en the same souree of power 1 andftherforeyh 'sync-hreinism with the fee'dih'g deviee afid theih'eld dOWn device.

- -"Ihe folding'nrechahis'm ris nheet ed to heinain frtin'ie :0 ih'e m'aehine }bysiippbrt f90 whih rs, in turnfisupp6rted by hars191 and' 192.

The folding mechanism hereinherore not com plete thefold-o'n the blanks". 'm'ere'l'yaliplis' a fipartial fcild thereto. The fold: iscoihpleted by th'e lohgittidinally roc'ka'bl'e arm- 56which also in'aintains the fold iuntil -the' stop 46 is depressed and the blan'k is p611'veyeil tc :the --'stripping mechanism *by a "slat 90 "riding (in ch'ainz lafl. v p =Referring to Figures 3, 4 a'nd"-5 -it'" cain be seeht hat atheflmotion-rof 'this holddown arm cddrdinated with the :d'riv'e 'mechanism -here'inbefor'e described and is s]: driven vthat the rearward :rportion "indicated by iiurrieral nvardtsofias ato zcomplete -the-foldin'g on thefront part of rth'e blank. hain 139: driven dif 'of s'haift 142" a'sss -over idler J43 and drivesss'haftflfiz. rhe omer surfaee -63 rofeshaft: 62:isa:geared and idrivesigear'wvheel 64*Whieh :imturmz'driVeszgearedWheel "6S.

i lhe geared "wheels 64 and =-:-65'.--'revolve respectively 'around@shafts:.68-.and 69. .Fhe sshaftsiareieonnectewhy -attie bar rrWhiGh==iS1Pflft er =a=frame indicated :by dotted rlines 70,1-76, 77, 79. On each of. the cranks 72, 73 "are spivots I91 a,91b-?and 92a, 92b. Thegpivots 92a= and 92b .are a-rigidlyssecured -to :a;point near ithe-outeriperipherydf the;.geared wheels-and thereforefollow thecir'cular motion .of -the -wheel. The :pivots 91a. and 91b =are secured to ;:bars :94a rand 94b which :are forced :up fiand ddwn in areciproeating g-fashion on each rotat-ionfiof :theggeared #whel. Bars 194a and 94b and their extensidns 8-4a and 34b are fmadeaof such a lengthlthat the longitudinal hdld down farm .56 presses againstthe blank at th'enpoinfiwhere :the' said :pivots reach the eenterlline iof the geared wheels. The eccentric cranks 72 and 73 are operated ou't 'ef iphase Eso that the idownwazr'd motionofith-e arm 84a 94a connected :to :the zrea'rcportibn $57 iof the hol'd iiown bar 56 occurs (before the downward I'nc'stidn bf Ethe arm 4b494b 'connedt'ed to the :front part of the heir! downbar. v a

referred-to ades I The "reciprocating nifition "f ithe arr ris o'er-see 411) is *m'aint'aind in a Vertical plane 'hy' guiderellefrs 95, 96 '-'and"97. '1 Because the chainfdrive "139 going to the di i e {shaft "62is driven fromsha'ft 48 which also drivesthe lding mechanism (seeFigure 3) the 'roekable 'ha r 6r are; 56 is*'coordinated *with the moti'on ofthe folding mechanism so that aft'r thebl'ankis partially foldd *toan extent that the oiiter longitudinal edgesfthereof overlapthe" bar'i56 "descends and completes the fold fthe rdckable motion heretofere mentioned and acts as'fa h olddown bar tor -the folded portion of theblankfiintil "sti'eh tifne as "the stop"rne ans arer'ernbye d and the blank is ready ;'to be 'conveyedtothe stripping mechanism,

f-Arm's 94a "and 94b are secured to their "respective extensions{84a and84b' wliic'h chimp-rings 85 wineries b'fthe-slidable mountirigsfll W I Safety '"device "88 cbri'sisting "of spring 'bia'sed, rollers 89 'shfits' ofi the folding niechanisin in the event thafthe jjlajfnks shbuldp'ile up uhaemeata-the 'holddewn Bar 56. Such a pile tip would increase *the "upward pi'ssure -on arms' 84a'arid 84b whichwould ih' turn depres's the'wliel's 89 ther'ebyopening thesafety'switeh "88. r

'Theiiidtidnoftherocker aim or bar 56 isfiiere elealrly illri'strated in Figure 4a wherein the 'solid lines show-how 'the'rockr arm 'appears as it first descends aria "liits tl'1e blank "an d the dotted lines show the silbsetiiieiit movement of the arm wherein ir'cempietes tli e fbl d an n ferrenrenderrhe blank. i I p The entire asser'ribly is *suppdrted on frame99whieh isf' seeiire d to the "base of the folding niachine. supper: "99 is httihd-tO'biCkEts '200kz'+201a. '11; can be S'h from Figure 3 that bracket 200 a'ls o' e'arrie's the ja'ek Rfe'rring now to Figures 7 and 8 in inore detail, 'th'e blalik *afte'r he'ifig folded is 'rai's'ed hem the slats as it rides dii har--295, 6r guide strip -29 6 by heSzanI-awry hold down member 201. The co-action between tlfe stripping-member and the held-hem i'ner'nberiiiai-iitains the o'l a'nk "in itsfbldedliositibn s o' fhat it ifi ay be 621 dirctly to thestitcher. V y

The take on or stripping bar operates as renews; sprpekets "1+2s end rz sa-are driven tra shaft 50; which fis rdtated by'ch ain 1'22, "diive s sprockt'127 (see Figures 2 and *3). The sprocket =128a'car ries "an eeceiitrially mounted crank 203 wh'ih is secured to the wh'eelfhy pin204 and secured to link- 206 by pin-205. The link 206 is pivbted through-pin 2'07 'tothe friechanisin which 5pplies rockab1e rnc'a'tion 'to thefst'ripping 'bar 200. This i'fjckahle-"nie'chanisin 'eo'nsists of links -208 "and -'210 which are piVGtedatQtW, 211 and 212, 21 3,respectively. The pivots 211 and '213 rigidly secure "the *fno vable links tit) the steel strippmg bar while the 'piv'ots 207 and 212, respectively 'ir'aply an bscillatbry nidtion to the stripping 'Bar causing oscillation for each 360 rotation of "shaft 550! The es'c'iuaterymetidn is v'ertic'al but-it is directed at "an angle a'way frdm the direetion of'feed of the'blahk. Thiis, the stripper tends to b0th-1i ft and ride 'vyit h the blank at the same time. Since the escillato'ry metre-a 'proyide d through shaft 50 is part df the drive system for the-rest or the machine *a's'seen from Fig. '3, the stripliihg operation 0in be 'readi1y coordinated with "the moiiiient 6f t1i'e blank as it comes from the folding dpera'ti'dn. i

As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 7, two stripp'e'i s 6f the nature 'hr'eifl ds'eribed are use'd 6n either side gifthe "maehine. The position or the strippers Before the arrival of a blankis showii by the dotted line and the numeral 2007 2116 its position as'a 'blahk enters the spacing he'twe'e'n thest-rip'ii'erand hold down bar i'sishown By the solid 1iiieai1d fiuniera1 200.

"Si1'1iilarly,tlie hold down bar 201 moves from a ie wer position 201" to an upper position "as shown by 201, as-the blahk i's strippedofi -the--'r'o11ers by thedual strip 7 ping mechanism. In order to assure that the hold down bar acts in cooperation with the stripper a link 312 is provided which is pivoted at 213 to the link 206 which provides the oscillatory stripper motion. The other .end of link 312 is pivoted at pin 214 to arm 215 which in turn is pivoted at 218 to member 229 which is slidably secured by pin 332, to the hold down bar 201.

Thus, as the stripper bar moves up and to the right a similar motion is imparted to the hold down bar so that suflicient space is allowed for the blank to pass between these two bars, while at the same time the fold in the blank is maintained. The passage of the blank between the two bars is more clearly seen in Figure 7 wherein the solid lines show the position of the blank, hold down and stripper bars before stripping and the dotted lines show the upward movement of these elements after the blank has been stripped from the slats.

Roller 320 provides additional support for the blank as it passes between the straightening rolls 222. In connection with the hold down bar 201 note that pivots 230 and 232 in connection with piece 234 allow for the movement of the other end of the hold down bar in a fashion similar to that described in connection with the pivots 213 and 322. Both pivots 322 and 232 are slidably mounted in a manner so as to allow a desired amount of vertical tolerance with respect to the motion of the hold down bar.

After being stripped the blank passes underneath safety device 240. Should the blanks pile up at this point the arm 240 will rise and pivot around pin 245 so that it disconnects with the contacts 242 and thereby shuts off the machine.

Beyond the straightening roll is another safety device 250 which will shut off the machine if the blanks pile up, extend above the level of the safety and thereby striking the finger 250. The folded blank then enters the stitcher 260 which is shown in more detail in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 8 the stitcher comprises an angularly shaped piece 260 which separates the overlapping folds of the box blank and provides a base 272 against which the stitcher 271 can work. The stitches are inserted at a point indicated by numeral 273 and are usually of a metallic nature. Finally the stripped blank is pulled through the stitcher by rolls 280 and 281 and strikes target 284 is released from the stitcher.

The machine is so arranged in time that as soon as the stops 46 are depressed by the action of the cams t] slat 90 mounted across the chains 130 moves up and into engagement with the rear of the folded blank and moves the blank beneath the hold down strip 295 which is adjustably supported so that it extends just in front of the stops and up to the point where the stripping mechanism removes the blank from the slats. The front end of hold down strip 295 is curved upwardly so that panels which tend to spring up after being folded will be guided down again and their edges brought to a butting position. Also, provided is a guide strip 296 over which the blank is folded and which runs the full length of the folder. Guide strip 296 is secured at one end thereof to the machine behind folding bars 39, 40 so that the unfolded blanks may be fed by slats 27 to pass below strip 296. Bars 39, 40 then fold the outer panels of the blank over strip 296. Guide strip 296 extends longitudinally forward until its termination at the stitcher 271.

As soon as the slats 96 on chains 130 engage the blank and move it forward through the machine the hold down strip 295 presses down on the panels and prevents the folded blank from opening up.

Referring again to the top plan view in Figures 1 and 6, it can be seen that the straightening rolls 222 are mounted on stub shafts 221 and supported on adjustable plates 3 .12. The plates are adjusted so that the periphcries of the aligned rollers 222 on each side are spaced apart by a distance which is slightly less than the width of the folded blank.

The slats force the blank between the rolls with the edges of the blank riding in the annular grooves on each side. Since the rolls are thus spaced slightly closer together than the width of the blank the crease or fold is adjusted and spread vertically.

All members which engage the edges of the blanks are providedwith nuts which in turn are driven by screws all of which may be driven from a common source on each side of the machine in order to adjust the machine for ditferent widths of blanks. 1

Figure 1 shows how all adjustments on one side of th machine may be driven from a common chain 400 which passes over the sprockets 401-40. The various adjusting screws appear in Figure 1 as elements 410-41. Since the adjusting mechanism is not considered an essential part of my invention it is not necessary to describe it herein in further detail. Attention is called, however, to the description of this type of adjusting mechanism in my prior Patent Nos. 2,583,712 and 2,622,493.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with preferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of the principles of my invention within the scope of the description herein are obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair' of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position. to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said sections overlap; pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; oscillatory means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means and operatively connected thereto, means for maintaining the fold in the stripped blank, said last recited means and said oscillatory means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with said folded blanks, and means for feeding the said blanks through a stitcher.

2. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; oscillatory means for stripping the folding blank from the blank moving means, means for holding down the stripped blank operatively connected to said stripping means, said last recited means and said oscillatory means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with said folded blanks, the movement of said holding means being coordinated with the movement of said stripping means, and means for stitching the said overlapping side sections of the blank.

3. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, said sheets having 'a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; stop mem- 9 befs mounted on-said machine; "means for continuously moving said blanks successively against said stop membersin a' position to be folded; means for folding over each side section while said blanks are halted so that said'side sections overlap, longitudinally rockable pres- "suremeans'for completing the fold in said blanks, means 'for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, means for holding down 'thestripped blank, said'stripping and hold-down "meansb'eing'operatively connected for-slowing the movementof 'said'blanks;'said stripping and said hold-down means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with'said folded blanks, and means 'for'maintaining the overlapping outer longitudinal edges 'ofsaid blank in a spaced apart relationship as the said blanks are fed to a stitch'er.

-4. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular/box 'blanks from fiat "and scored sheets, said sheets "having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable aboutsaid score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means "for continuously-moving said blanks successively into 'a'position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sectionsbverlapysaid folding means comprising a pair of folding barsextending in-the direction of movement of the blank and rotatable about an axis parallel to the score lin'es defining said longitudinally extending side .seCtionsj-longitudinally rockable'pressure means'for 'com fpleting the fold in said blanks, means "for moving said iblanksfro'm saidfoldingpositionafter the samehave been folded; upwardly'movingmeans for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, pressure means for maintaining the fold in the blank, and means for maintaining the overlapping outer longitudinal edges of said blank in a spaced apart relationship, as the blanks are fed into a stitcher.

5. In a folding machine for forming flat and collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded, oscillatory and upwardly moving means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, means operatively connected to the said stripping means for holding down the stripped blanks, said last recited means and said oscillatory means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with said folded blanks, and means for feeding the said blanks through a stitcher.

6. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanks from fiat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks, means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; the said pressure means having a forwardly rocking motion and being operatively coordinated with the movement i'of the said bla'nks; oscillatory and upwardly *moving means "for stripping the fol ded blank from ftlie "blankimoving -means,-means for holding down thestripped blank, said last recited-means and-said oscillatory means being 'maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement 'with -said "folded blanks, and means for feeding the said blanks through a 1 stitcher.

7. In-a folding machine for forming "flat-collapsed tubular box blanks F from -fiat'and scored sheets, said 1 sheets having a pair-of longitudinally extending side sections defined byscored-inesand foldable about said score lines into-said collapsed tubulararrangement; means fo'r continuously moving saidblanks successively into "a 'posi- 'tion to be folded;means forstopping said blanks when said blanks have reache'd su'ch position; means for succes- 'sively =folding over each of said'side sections while-said blanks are halted so t-hat said side sections overlap;

'rockable'pressure"meansfor completing the foldain said blanks; -means for *n'loving s'aid blanks from said 5 folding 8. 1m a folding machine "for forming fiat collapsed tubular boxblanks from Hat and *scored "sheets, said sheets "having' 'a pair of longitudinally extending side s'ections defined by score lines and foldable about'said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; stop members mounted on said machine; apparatus for moving said blanks successively against said stop members, means for folding over the side sections, the completion of said folding operation releasing said blanks from said stops; said folding means comprising apparatus for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; oscillatory means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, means operatively connected to said stripping means for holding down the stripped blank, said last recited means and said oscillatory means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with said folded blanks, said hold-down and stripping means cooperating so as to facilitate passage of the blank therebetween, means for feeding the said blanks into a stitcher; and common drive means for coordinating the movement of the blanks, the folding mechanism, and the stripping mechanism.

9. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side section defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; said pressure means being operated by two eccentrically mounted cranks which rotate out of phase and thereby cause the arm of said pressure means to hit a back portion of the blank and rock forward so as to successively contact the more forward portions of the blank; oscillatory means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, said stripping means being operable in an upward direction so as to cooperate with the movement of the blank, means for holding down the stripped blank, said last recited means and said oscillatory means being maintained in spaced apart relationship while in engagement with said folded blanks, means for feeding the said blanks into a stitcher, and common drive means for coordinating the movement of the blanks, the folding means, and the stripping means.

10. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections while said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally vrockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; said pressure means being operated by two eccentrically mounted cranks which rotate out of phase and thereby cause the arm of said pressure means to hit a back portion of the blank and rock forward so as to successively contact the more forward portions of the blank; oscillatory means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, said stripping means being operable in an upward direction so as to cooperate with the movement of the blank, and being operatively connected to apparatus for holding down the fold in said blank so that the stripping means and the hold down means oscillate simultaneously in the same direction.

11. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed tubular box blanks from flat and scored sheets, said sheets having a pair of longitudinally extending side sections defined by score lines and foldable about said score lines into said collapsed tubular arrangement; means for continuously moving said blanks successively into a position to be folded; means for stopping said blanks when said blanks have reached such position; means for successively folding over each of said side sections While said blanks are halted so that said side sections overlap; longitudinally rockable pressure means for completing the fold in said blanks; means for moving said blanks from said folding position after the same have been folded; said pressure means being operated by two eccentrically mounted cranks which rotate out of phase and thereby cause the arm of said pressure means to hit a back portion of the blank and rock forward so as to successively contact the more forward portions of the blank; oscillatory means for stripping the folded blank from the blank moving means, and being operatively connected to apparatus for holding down the fold in the said blank so that the stripping means and the hold down means oscillate simultaneously in the same direction; and common drive means for coordinating the movement of the blank conveying means, folding means, stripping means and hold down means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,505,178 Wade et al Aug. 19, 1924 1,757,730 McPike May 6, 1930 2,017,535 Hammer Oct. 15, 1935 2,113,052 Kemp Apr. 5, 1938 2,837,012 Burroughs June 3, 1958 

